Doctors blamed her seizures and falls on the 'anxiety' she never had — until ChatGPT uncovered the real disorder
Phoebe Tesoriere's doctors listened to ChatGPT's suggestions and found the actual diagnosis
AI claims that the results may not always be accurate, but in the case of 23-year-old Phoebe Tesoriere from Cardiff, Wales, it pointed her in the right direction. For years, Tesoriere suffered from several seizures, falls, and balance problems. She told the BBC that she suspected it was because she was "born without a hip socket." However, her doctors blamed it on anxiety, depression, and epilepsy. After a nasty seizure that left her in a coma for three days, Tesoriere turned to ChatGPT to give her some answers. Surprisingly, the AI chatbot got it right, as per the New York Post.
Anxiety, depression, epilepsy, Todd's Paralysis
Over the years, Tesoriere had to return to the ER time and again. Doctors warned her that she would be treated as a mental health patient if she kept coming back. When she was a child, she was tested for dyspraxia, but the test results were negative. At the age of 19, she had a seizure at work and collapsed. The doctors blamed her anxiety, but she knew it wasn't true, "I had no history of anxiety, I was a really happy, bubbly person." In 2022, she was diagnosed with epilepsy and was on medication. Two years later, she began getting sick again. When she struggled to walk, doctors diagnosed her with Todd's Paralysis.
A coma that woke her up
In January 2025, Tesoriere fell down the stairs and was hospitalized for three months. None of the tests was conclusive. In July 2025, she had a seizure and was in a coma for three days. When she came out of it, doctors blamed her anxiety again. Tired of the misdiagnosis, she asked ChatGPT what was wrong with her, and it gave her a list of possible reasons. She showed the results to her general physician and got a genetic test done based on the suggestion. Turns out, ChatGPT was right — she was diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia. Now, Tesoriere is in a wheelchair and cannot work as a special educational needs teacher, but she is pursuing a Master's degree in Psychology to "do something that helps people."
AI over actual doctors?
People turning to AI for medical advice is not something new or unusual anymore. A 2026 Gallup poll found that 25% used AI to find out more information or advice regarding healthcare. People aged 18 to 29 (69%) use it the most for that reason compared to people aged 65+ (43%). Tesoriere falls under the former category. Another Gallup poll revealed that 16% of Americans turn to AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini as their "go-to sources for medical information."
AI, along with expert medical intervention
Even though ChatGPT got it right for Phoebe Tesoriere, Dr Rebeccah Tomlinson, a general physician at Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan, said, "It's difficult for GPs to know everything. With the pressure on the NHS, we have to know even more. Patients coming with information helps me understand what they are thinking and guide the discussion more clearly. It's good as a starting talking point [AI tools], which should be followed by going to a medical professional to discuss concerns further. It's helpful for patients to come armed with information, but the GP has to be open and receptive to the patient."
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